Effect of introduced piscivores on native minnow communities in Adirondack lakes

2000 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 570-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Scott Findlay ◽  
Daniel G Bert ◽  
Ligang Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Semotilus Atromaculatus ◽  
Rhinichthys Atratulus ◽  
Adirondack Lakes ◽  
Pimephales Notatus ◽  
Creek Chub

We compared the minnow assemblages of Adirondack lakes with top piscivores with those of lakes having similar physiochemical and biotic characteristics but no top piscivores using a subset of data collected from 1984 to 87 by the Adirondack Lake Survey Corporation. Native minnow richness in lakes with top piscivores was about one third that of lakes without piscivores, with piscivore assemblages dominated by introduced species such as northern pike (Esox lucius), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). There was strong evidence that at least four minnow species, including creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), northern redbelly dace (Phoxinus eos), blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), and common shiner (Luxilus cornutus), were less likely to occur in lakes with piscivores; for a fifth species (pearl dace (Margariscus margarita)), the evidence is suggestive but not as strong. Of 13 minnow species, only for two nonnative species (bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus) and golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)) was there strong evidence that their occurrence was unaffected by the presence of introduced piscivores. These results add to the growing body of evidence that the introduction of top piscivores to small temperate lakes puts native minnow communities at high extinction risk.

scholarly journals Year-class variation drives interactions between warm-water predators and yellow perch

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 1330-1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
William W. Fetzer ◽  
Collin J. Farrell ◽  
James R. Jackson ◽  
Lars G. Rudstam
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Class Strength

Walleye (Sander vitreus), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are common top predators across many north temperate lakes, but no previous analyses have assessed factors driving their combined impact on mortality of a shared prey, yellow perch (Perca flavescens). We estimated consumption dynamics of walleye, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass during 3 years that differed in age-0 yellow perch year-class strength and evaluated the relative contribution of each predator to age-0 yellow perch mortality, in Oneida Lake, New York, USA. Habitat-specific diet composition and population densities were integrated with temperature and growth rates to parameterize a bioenergetics model and estimate annual consumption of major diet items. Walleye were the dominant predator in both offshore and inshore habitats, while smallmouth bass and largemouth bass were also important inshore predators. Consumption of age-0 yellow perch by all three predators was positively correlated to age-0 yellow perch year-class strength, but our ability to account for age-0 yellow perch mortality decreased during years when year-class strength was strong. Within each year, predation by the three species accounted for all observed age-0 yellow perch mortality in late summer and fall, but not in the early summer, suggesting other predators in the lake likely predate on the youngest, most vulnerable yellow perch. These results are important for understanding how diverse predator communities can alter the spatial and temporal availability of prey refuges and influence mortality of a shared prey.

Parental care patterns and energetics of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) monitored with activity transmitters

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 756-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J Cooke ◽  
David P Philipp ◽  
Patrick J Weatherhead
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Respiration Rates ◽  
Care Patterns ◽  
Burst Swimming ◽  
Care Activity ◽  
Diurnal Behaviour

Male smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) care for their offspring from fertilization until the offspring disperse after becoming capable of avoiding predators. We used activity transmitters to monitor round-the-clock parental activity of both species throughout the nesting period, coupled with direct observational data collected while snorkeling, to determine whether nocturnal behaviour varied similarly to diurnal behaviour. In general, nesting males of both species were equally active during day and night, developmental-stage-specific patterns being evident during both periods. Consistent with theory, parental males of both species exhibited elevated levels of burst swimming (indicative of chasing nest predators) early in the nesting period. Unlike male smallmouth bass, however, male largemouth bass showed no decline in overall activity and energy expenditure in the later nesting stages as predicted from the greater mobility and dispersion of their broods, although burst-swimming activity decreased. Activity of nesting fish was approximately double that of non-nesting conspecifics, causing an increase in respiration rates of fish, estimated using a bioenergetics model. The results of our study suggest that physiological telemetry devices which provide both behavioural and energetic information enhance the study of parental care activity in centrarchid fishes, and may be equally useful in a variety of other taxa.

scholarly journals SAT-732 Historical Occurrence of Intersex in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides) and Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu)

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David O Norris ◽  
Angela Geiger ◽  
Alan Milan Vajda
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
Estrogenic Chemicals ◽  
Wastewater Effluents

Abstract The widespread occurrence of gonadal intersex (presence of testicular oocytes) has been recently reported in populations of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) and Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu) from populations across North America. To evaluate the historical occurrence of intersex in bass species, gonads were examined visually and histologically from Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass from museum specimens collected from 16 States. These fishes were collected between 1823-1965, before the widespread discharge of estrogenic chemicals to surface waters via wastewater effluents. All females examined had normal ovaries. Intersex gonads were identified in 17.8 % of male Largemouth Bass, and in 14.2% of male Smallmouth Bass. The intensity of testicular oocytes in some males was as great as observed since 2000. These results indicate that the occurrence of this form of intersex in these bass species is not a recent phenomenon.

Nonlethal laparoscopic detection of intersex (testicular oocytes) in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 1924-1933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander H. MacLeod ◽  
Vicki S. Blazer ◽  
Mark A. Matsche ◽  
Lance T. Yonkos
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu

Relative abilities to correct rolling disturbances of three morphologically different fish

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 2156-2163 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Eidietis ◽  
T L Forrester ◽  
P W Webb
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Body Depth ◽  
Semotilus Atromaculatus ◽  
Buoyant Weight ◽  
S Period ◽  
Creek Chub ◽  
Metacentric Height ◽  
Neutrally Buoyant

Responses of three fish species were measured following the addition of neutrally buoyant weight-float combinations that increased rolling instability. The three species were creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, and bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus. Ability to correct posture was predicted to increase with fin size and body depth in the order creek chub < largemouth bass < bluegill. In a 90-s period, the least added torque causing fish to roll to 90° in response to disturbances, ΔT90, and the least added torque making fish unable to recover from rolling, ΔTcrit, were measured as limits of ability to correct postural disturbances. Contrary to expectations, creek chub required a 58% increase in body torque to reach ΔT90, significantly larger than the 11% increase for largemouth bass and 19% increase for bluegill. Similarly, ΔTcrit was a 78% increase in body torque for creek chub, 43% for largemouth bass, and 34% for bluegill. Increased rolling torques resulted in behaviors reducing and avoiding rolling, including tilting, which reduces metacentric height, inverted swimming, which stabilizes fish, and contacting surfaces, which generates static forces. The superior ability of creek chub to correct postural disturbances may be explained by a fin arrangement that facilitates interactions with the ground.

scholarly journals Batch spawning in five species of minnows (Cyprinidae) from Ontario, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-328
Author(s):  
Norman W.S. Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Spawning Season ◽  
Semotilus Atromaculatus ◽  
Cyprinid Species ◽  
Rhinichthys Atratulus ◽  
Batch Spawning ◽  
Blacknose Dace ◽  
Creek Chub

Batch spawning, the act of spawning more than once within a spawning season, is assessed in six species of minnows (Cyprinidae) from Ontario, Canada. The bimodal frequency distribution of egg size in mature specimens suggests that the following species are batch spawners: Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), Brassy Minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni), Common Shiner (Luxilus cornutus), Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), and Hornyhead Chub (Nocomis biguttatus). However, there is no evidence that Northern Pearl Dace (Margariscus nachtriebi) is a batch spawner. Thus, we now have evidence that 11 of 39 cyprinid species in Ontario are batch spawners. Knowledge about the reproductive habits of these species should be integrated into the comprehensive standards for the protection of fish habitat in Ontario to ensure the survival of populations.

Behavioral Response of Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) to Varying Densities of Predatory Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus)

1984 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 364-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas F. Fraser ◽  
Edward E. Emmons
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Response ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Semotilus Atromaculatus ◽  
Piscivorous Fish ◽  
Natural Stream ◽  
Rhinichthys Atratulus ◽  
Blacknose Dace ◽  
Creek Chub ◽  
Term Benefit

We investigated the behavioral response of juvenile blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) to varying levels of predation risk by varying the density of predatory creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) and amount of structure in compartments of an artificial field stream. When structure in predator locations was low, dace did not avoid predators during the day but did at night, responding equally regardless of predator density. When structure was increased, the strength of avoidance at night was dependent on both the amount of structure and density of predators. Predators in experimental compartments caused dace to move to other locations of the stream. By moving away from predators, dace gain a short-term benefit in avoiding predation and a long-term benefit by reducing the chance of becoming trapped in pools with piscivorous fish when water levels in a natural stream drop. However, this shift could reduce feeding if dace move to locations poor for foraging or high in density of dace.

The influence of lake attributes and predatory bass on the distribution of northern crayfish (Orconectes virilis) in central New Hampshire

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-95
Author(s):  
N.C. Ramberg-Pihl ◽  
K.L. Yurewicz ◽  
T.R. Boucher
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Introduced Species ◽  
New Hampshire ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Orconectes Virilis ◽  
Shoreline Development ◽  
Nonconsumptive Effects

Introduced species influence the dynamics and structure of freshwater systems; understanding the variables that shape introduced species’ distributions can aid in anticipating their spread. We examined multiple factors that may influence the distribution of northern crayfish (Orconectes virilis (Hagen, 1870)), an introduced species, in New Hampshire, USA. Sampling occurred July to August 2010 in 20 lakes. We tested catch per unit effort (CPUE) and body size of crayfish against lake trophic status, size, depth, and shoreline development, as well as substrate type. We also compared CPUE and body size in the presence or absence of known predators, smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, 1802) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède, 1802)). Crayfish body size was not strongly associated with any tested variables, nor were there significant correlations between lake-level parameters and CPUE. CPUE increased with rocky substrates and decreased with macrophyte cover. We also found significantly lower CPUE in lakes with bass predators; this could be due to consumptive effects directly lowering crayfish abundance, nonconsumptive effects of bass on crayfish behavior, or both. Our work provides a baseline for future surveys examining northern crayfish or bass expansion in New Hampshire and highlights a variable that could be important as this crayfish colonizes additional locations outside its native range.

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